1. Visual Breaks. This one... I'm working on. I try to remind myself to do it, because staring at a computer screen all day can damage your eyes. But sometimes it's hard to break away. There are apps you can download that force you to take a visual break periodically, but let's be real, this girl doesn't like being told what to do. So in the mean time I'm trying to be more mindful of my retinas, I'm wearing my glasses more regularly, and I scheduled a long overdue eye exam.
2. Stretch. When my back starts cramping up and my butt goes numb, I stand up and stretch for a minute. At home, I can do all sorts of crazy things, like sun salutations and tree pose and the YMCA. When I'm working in the office though, I try to be a little more discreet. I've learned a little something about office life... You can play "Party in the USA" on repeat or you can do intense yoga. Not both. If your taste in music is as questionable as mine, here are 6 Stretches You Can Do At Your Desk by Yoga Journal.
3. Mental Break. When I catch myself getting distracted or my mind starts wandering off too easily, I walk away from my desk for a minute. I'm not gonna lie, I usually go make a cup of coffee, so I cannot testify if it's the caffeine that aids concentration or if simply putting down the task at hand and coming back to it helps me regain my focus. It's no wonder all of my notebooks have coffee rings on them, as seen above, but I take it as a sign of hard work.
4. Rewards. Note: I'm 5 years old. This is something I've done since my school days (Finish reading a chapter? Apply one coat of nail polish. Homework and manicure in one, multitasking at its finest.) I break up a long list of arduous tasks with little treats as I accomplish things. Sure, checking something off your to-do list is rewarding. But not quite as rewarding as eating a handful of peanut m&ms. Sometimes you just need a little motivation. (Cue Kelly Rowland)
So tell me, how do you make it through a long work day?
